Thirupparankundram Temple

Thirupparankundram is located about 8 kms from Madurai in Tamil Nadu. The Thirupparankundram temple is dedicated to Lord Subramanayam. Devotees throng this temple all the year round, as this is one of the most sacred places. It is supposed to be the abode of Lord Murugan. Pandayan King built this temple in the 8th century. The innermost shrine is a rock cut idol made of solid rock. Apart from this temple, there are separate shrines of other gods like Lord Shiva, Lord Vinayaka, Lord Vishnu and Goddess Durga. There is a cubical pillar with lotus medallion at the entrance.

There are two dwarpals or the doorkeepers at the entrance of the temple. There are two more at the either side at the temple of lord Shiva and Vishnu. As the legend goes, it is at this place that the marriage of lord Subramanayam and Devasena(daughter of lord Indra) took place. This temple is regarded as an auspicious place of marriage and many tie the knot here. It is believed that people who get married here are blessed by Lord Murugan himself. The marriage will be successful and the couple will stay happily married after.

There is a rock cut chamber on the west side of the shrine of Lord Shiva. It houses the Shiva Lingam. The chamber on the east has a relief of Lord Vishnu. There is s figure of Goddess Durga just opposite to it. This figure is carved in a wall in the chamber. There are figures of Lord Ganesh and Lord Subramanya on either side of the chamber. There are a number of figures sculpted on the rock surface as you come out of the main shrine. There are carvings of Narasimha, Vishnu and Varaha on the eastern side. While there are carvings of Shiva, Nandi, Devi and Nataraja on the western side.

Hindus and Muslims worship the place alike. There is a Muslim shrine here in the temple. It is dedicated to Sekunder. This is associated to Murugan by the Muslims. Sekunder was a friend of the lord Murugan. There is a celebration of 14 days at this place in the month of March. This is to commemorate the victory of Lord Murugan over the demon suran. All this is followed by the coronation ceremony and his marriage to Goddess Devasena. Many devotees throng this place to witness the divine wedding and the celebrations that follow.